00:00:00.000,00:00:03.000 Captions by www.SubPLY.com . . . . . . . . . . . . . 00:00:00.300,00:00:04.240 A number of representatives have voiced their opposition to HR8768, 00:00:04.570,00:00:08.740 which would appropriate $200 million to my home state of Virginia 00:00:08.840,00:00:10.470 for a toll reconstruction project. 00:00:11.440,00:00:15.050 And as I've sat listening to them, I couldn't help but think of 00:00:15.150,00:00:18.120 the memory of my son, Army Private First Class, 00:00:18.820,00:00:22.660 James Whittle. James was killed in Iraq in 2003 00:00:22.760,00:00:24.560 while fighting for this nation's freedom. 00:00:27.160,00:00:30.130 I know James would want me to fight to see this bill passed. 00:00:30.230,00:00:32.470 James loved toll roads. 00:00:33.170,00:00:35.940 He would have loved to see this one built but he never will, 00:00:36.470,00:00:40.610 because he died on a battle field in Iraq, nearly six years ago. 00:00:41.540,00:00:45.400 Now, there has been some talk that this project is too expensive, 00:00:45.500,00:00:48.580 mostly from representatives whose children are still alive. 00:00:49.750,00:00:53.550 If they knew what it was like to lose the most precious thing they have in the world, 00:00:53.920,00:00:59.730 those representatives would understand why this toll road is so, very important. 00:01:02.130,00:01:06.500 I love my dead son. The only chance I get to hear his voice now 00:01:06.600,00:01:07.770 is in my dreams. 00:01:08.570,00:01:09.700 Like the one I had last night. 00:01:10.840,00:01:13.910 I was driving down I89 when I came to a toll both, 00:01:14.810,00:01:16.680 and in that toll booth was my son. 00:01:17.500,00:01:20.340 He smiled and said, I'm so happy here in this toll both. 00:01:20.850,00:01:24.350 I'm so glad HR8768 passed. 00:01:25.320,00:01:28.290 And I said, me too son. Me too. 00:01:29.220,00:01:33.090 As many of you know, I carry a piece of my son's 00:01:33.390,00:01:37.730 bloodied uniform with me whenever I'm here at the capital. 00:01:38.660,00:01:42.500 When I have it with me, I feel James's spirit and strength 00:01:42.800,00:01:46.840 guiding me. And so today I hear the argument that the toll road highway 00:01:47.140,00:01:49.280 will be built through undeveloped land, 00:01:49.380,00:01:52.180 promoting unchecked development, and degrading the pristine environment 00:01:52.280,00:01:56.750 in the area, and to that I say, my son died in a war. 00:01:57.720,00:02:00.890 I would also like to take this time to voice my strong approval 00:02:00.990,00:02:04.660 for writer 8938, which would allow for the construction 00:02:04.990,00:02:08.960 of the private James Whittle memorial of Gonquid Indian Gaming Casino. 00:02:09.530,00:02:18.340 Still Ahead: Q&A With A Historic Mississippi River Steamboat